Josh Power eyeing a future in soccer

Josh Power, in the blue jersey, of the Feildians Athletic Association is looking forward to taking to the field when he competes in the Mediterranean International Cup in Barcelona. Submitted photo.

Soccer player with Burin Peninsula roots invited to play in Europe

GOULDS, NL—Josh Power is hoping an invitation to play at the 2018 Mediterranean International Cup held in Barcelona, Spain will give him a chance to go further with the sport that he loves.

“I think it is a wonderful opportunity to try and get my name out there in front of potential scouts and other people attending the tournament, like universities and colleges.”

The 15-year-old center back has been playing soccer since he was four years old. He’s also no stranger to travelling when it comes to the sport, having attended training camps in Portugal and England.

Power said it’s exciting to train at that level.

“(The camps) were great, being in more of a soccer-popular country, and seeing (the) stadiums in person.”

This past summer he was named captain of Team NL’s Under 15 boys team when it competed at the Atlantic Cup championships in Moncton, NB. In July he was invited to attend a national identification camp in Georgia.

Power, who makes his home in the Goulds with his mother Lorelei Best, step-father Robert Best, brother Phillip and sisters Avery and Emily, has ties to the area. His mother and biological father, Rick Power, are both from Little Bay.

Best said he feels it is an amazing opportunity for her son to get invited to such a big tournament.

“It will be such a great experience for him,” she said. “He always said he would love to go to Spain and now he has that opportunity.”

She added she is proud of his accomplishment on and off the field.

“As a young child Josh always said that he would like to play semi-professional or professional soccer someday, and if he doesn’t make it to that level, he looks forward to playing university soccer somewhere,” she said.

“He is not only a great, well-rounded player, but he has excellent school academic grades so maybe there will even be the opportunity for a scholarship for a university when he graduates in two years’ time.”

Power said he would like to continue playing soccer after he graduates from high school.

“Opportunities like this are what helps me think that I can continue with it after I get out of school.”